Page 115 of Lime Tree Hill

“Before we married, you said you wanted to live here, alone. I still think of this house as your home, and I’m sure you do too. So, I want you to have it. And whether you choose me or don’t, this house and the two acres it sits on will always be yours.”

“But you can’t do that. That’s crazy.”

“Well, I hope we can live here together. If not, at least I’ll know that wherever you travel or live or work, the Cherry Grove homestead will always be your home.” He flashed her a wide grin. “We could be neighbors with benefits if you want.”

She grinned back, cocked a brow. “I don’t think so.”

“Right. Let’s eat, give you time to think about it.” Mitch picked up a rice paper roll and dipped it into the sauce.

“I’ve done nothing but think lately. I need to say my piece while it’s fresh in my mind.”

He placed the roll on his plate.

“Thank you for this generous gift, but…” She shook her head, struggling for words, her mouth dry until she took another sip from her glass. “Anyway, I no longer have feelings for Hayden, but I was so jealous of Ella and Prue that I didn’t trust you either. When I saw those photographs of you and Ella together, I cried every night for a week. I’m sorry for doubting you, but over the past few days, I’ve realized how far we’ve come as a couple. These moments, when we speak from the heart, are what matter in life. And while I appreciate your grand gesture, I don’t want to live in this house alone. But we could live here together…if you’d like to.”

He leaned over the table and kissed her. “There is nothing I’d like more.”

“Also, I was thinking about telling Mum and Dad…about us and the orchard. But I don’t want to cause Dad any more distress, so I’ve decided against it. What do you think?”

“Absolutely. I feel the same way about Mum and Frank.”

“Good. That’s settled. And there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

He waited.

“Who was the girl you were with in Queenstown? The one who tagged you on Facebook?”

Mitch frowned as he removed his phone from his pocket and scrolled back to refresh his memory. He chuckled as he handed her the phone. “This one?”

She nodded.

“That’s Dani, Luka’s sister. She’s living down there at the moment. And before you ask, I’ve never slept with her. We’ve partied together occasionally, and hard. She’s nothing like Luka, doesn’t have a reserved bone in her body. Anything else?”

“Not right now.”

“I have a question for you. Why did you have dinner with Chris Stone?”

“Who told you that?”

“He did.”

“Andrew Harper set it up—when Chris tabled his offer for Cherry Grove. The man’s a jerk. Called me babycakes.”

Mitch flashed her a wide grin. “Whoa. I bet that didn’t go down well.”

“It didn’t. That was the night I decided to reject his offer and marry you.”

Low laughter bubbled from his throat. “Are you saying Chris calling you babycakes is the reason why you chose me?”

“Kind of.” She shot him a knowing smile. “Anyway, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

He shook his head. “Hold on a minute. I have terms.”

Tayla reached for a carrot stick and took a bite. “Of course you do. Go ahead.”

“First, we don’t sleep in your parents’ old bedroom. That would be weird. Second, apart from our special things, we buy new beds, furniture, and curtains, so it’s ours.”

“Sounds good. Is that all?”

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